It has been a busy year for Weld County, IHC, and the users of the WCR 49 Corridor. As the project strives to maintain schedule and budget, construction activities have been going ahead at full speed, while taking advantage of the extended nice weather. The year started off with fi nalizing environmental clearances, acquiring permits, and starting the relocations of utilities to make room for the new WCR 49 roadway. Utility relocations have been ongoing this year with most of the utilities to be out of the way by the end of 2016.

As the design was being completed, some areas of the corridor required acquisition of additional right of way (ROW) from neighboring landowners to make room for the widened WCR 49 roadway. Toward this end, crews completed surveys and constructed new temporary fencing to delineate the new property lines.

WCR 49 2016 Year-End-Review

Weld County Department of Public Works December 2016 Newsletter

Weld County Road 49 Corridor ProjectWeld County Road 49 Corridor ProjectWeld County Road 49 Corridor Project

November 2016—Completion of paving on the northbound section of Weld County Road (WCR) 49 between WCR 18 and WCR 22

Monthly Project Achievements

December 2016—Paving operations to begin on the northbound section of Weld County Road (WCR) 49 between Box Elder Creek Bridge and WCR 32

December 2016 – Paving operations to begin on the northbound section of WCR 49 between Jim’s Creek and I-76

December 2016—Drainage improvements to begin between WCR 32 and WCR 38

Anticipated Project Milestones

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email: 49info@weldgov.com

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Pictured are crews pouring concrete piers for the new Box Elder Creek Bridge. The green rebar serves as vertical support providing additional strength for the concrete piers. Surrounding the work area is a metal wall called a “cofferdam,” often used in creeks and streams. The barrier keeps water out of the work area. Cofferdams are temporary and are removed when construction activities are complete. (Taken: June 2016)

Continued on other side

Roadway construction activities took off in May 2016, with the fi rst equipment mobilization taking place at Box Elder Creek. Each bridge being replaced along the project corridor is being constructed in two phases, with a new side being constructed prior to the demolition of the old bridge structure. This will ensure that no bridge closures take place during construction. Phase 1 for both the Box Elder Creek and Jim’s Creek bridges were completed in 2016. Phase 2 for each bridge is now underway and is expected to be completed in early 2017.

Pictured is the construction of the Box Elder Creek Bridge abutments. The bridge abutments are constructed and placed on the bridge piers (shown in the previous picture). They serve as a horizontal foundation for the roadway pavement surface. (Taken: August 2016)

Putting the fi nishing touches on the fi rst side of the new Box Elder Creek Bridge. You can see the box girders on top of the abutments and the pavement laid on top of the box girders. This side of the bridge was completed in October 2016. (Taken: September 2016)

Since June 2016, paving operations have been at the forefront of construction activities. The process was explained over the course of several monthly newsletters, from grading and setting the base material to making concrete pavement, to laying and smoothing the pavement. Paving activities fi rst began on the south end of the corridor, just north of Interstate 76 (I-76). In approximately six months, pavers have now completed much of the fi rst segment from I-76 to WCR 30, which is close to seven miles of roadway.

Weld County and IHC would like to thank all of the users of WCR 49 for their patience and understanding during the construction. We recognize that the road closures and constant lane changes slow your commute and can be stressful at times. However, slowing speeds through work zones and paying attention to signage go a long way toward keeping the roadway safe. On behalf of Weld County, we wish you a safe and happy holiday season.

Weld County Department of Public Works

Weld County Road 49 Corridor Project

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Continued from other side

Here, the paver is laying and smoothing the pavement. A machine loads the concrete mix in front of the paver. In front of that, you see a worker placing rebar dowels that will help reinforce the roadway. (Taken: August 2016)

Prior to laying pavement, grading and foundation work must be completed. Shown here is construction equipment grading and smoothing the surface before the paver is brought in. (Taken: July 2016)